International Journal of Caring Sciences; Nicosia , vol.5, no.2, pp.191-202, 2012 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
The intravenous applications that have been used widely can lead to some complications such as extravasation, ecchymosis, hematoma and phlebitis. The extravasation is one of these complications. Extravasation leads to some undesirable happenings such as prolonged times of hospitalization of the patients, unnecessary diagnostic procedures and even unnecessary treatments, stress effects on the relatives of patients, extra workload for health staffand the economic loss as well as to threatening the lives of patients.It is important for the health professionals, who are responsible for managing of intravenous applications, to know the drugs that cause tissue injury and take the necessary measures to prevent extravasation. Therefore, this article defines the pathogenesis of extravasation, types, symptoms, and evidence-based management.